Kennedy has been in office since 2017, and at this time, he's campaigning against 12 other candidates in hopes of maintaining his position as U.S. He was chosen to become a fighter pilot and fly the F/A-18 Hornet, which he flew for 17 years and over 3,000 flight hours. He consistently votes against the best interest of the state of Louisiana, he votes against infrastructure, he votes against our veterans, she said. Republican Dan Lux is challenging Congressman Troy Carter, a Democrat. The goal was to grab attention, while highlighting a serious issue Chambers hopes to tackle if elected, he told NPR. Gary Chambers is a Democrat running for Senate in Louisiana. He gained national attention last month with the release of a campaign ad in which he puffs on a blunt . All three yet to qualify, however, picked up opponents. Were not there yet, as Gary Chambers has reminded us. [3] Candidates [ edit] The line of candidates and supporters snaked through the courtyard in front of the State Archives in Baton Rouge before the doors opened. The other candidates reported little or no fundraising activity through the campaign. The premise of Garys campaign is that the moderate, mushy middle doesnt exist. That he is really in command of this particular Senate seat.. He's going to win this seat for the people and he's going to do a phenomenal job advocating for them in the Senate! Luke is a native of Bunkie, Louisiana. Sen. John Kennedy ran against Democrats Luke Mixon and Gary Chambers in a crowded slate of challengers to represent Louisiana in the US Senate. There are still more registered Democrats than Republicans (31%) and independents (27%). Stay up to date with what you want to know. Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. John N. Kennedy, of Madisonville, spent 20 minutes recounting legislation he has supported since taking office six years ago and blaming President Joe Biden for. Gary's a fighter for Justice. Gary Chambers Jr., pictured here in a file photo, is running against U.S. Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana. The U.S. House is meeting Wednesday and Thursday. Kennedy, a staunch Trump ally, was endorsed. Nevertheless, Chambers ad is a significant marker in changing ideas about cannabis. "Some may dismiss it as a stunt, but he has said something important" by talking about a major issue on voters' minds, Belk said. Chambers is looking to unseat Republican Sen. John Kennedy, who was first elected in 2016.Another Democrat, Luke Mixon, has also declared he will run for the position. (Photo by Max Becherer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate). Sen. Kennedy had that opportunity on Jan. 6, 2021. He spent nearly 20 years flying the F-18 fighter, in support of American missions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. Mixon is hammering away at Kennedys vote against Bidens giant infrastructure package that the Democratic Congress approved last year, with support from Cassidy and a few other Republican senators. But Taylor from the Cook Political Report said Georgias demographics are changing in ways that Louisianas are not, with college educated Whites flocking to the state. Republican incumbent Sen. John Kennedy defeated Democrat Luke Mixon and several other challengers in Louisiana to represent the state in the US Senate. (Photo by Max Becherer, NOLA.com, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate) Congress approves $28.6 billion in disaster aid for Louisiana, other states, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. His first campaign video, "37 Seconds," features him smoking a blunt and. Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, Luke Mixon, a Baton Rouge commercial airline pilot, signed up to run in the Nov. 8 election on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. All rights reserved. Louisiana Senate candidate smokes blunt in campaign ad highlighting non Kennedy grills Biden nominee, questions 'radical' views, Republican legislators: Why we're against Joe Biden's infrastructure bill, Gary Chambers Jr. smokes marijuana in new ad for U.S. Senate seat, Our Views: Senate candidate Gary Chambers gets blunt, Gary Chambers wins first important endorsement in campaign against U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, U.S. Senate Democrat Luke Mixon is far behind John Kennedy in raising campaign dollars, John Kennedy begins 2022 with huge money advantage as he seeks re-election to U.S. Senate, Luke Mixon capitalizes on his military background to attack Sen. John Kennedy on Russia. This image (made from video made available by the Democratic National Committee via the LBJ Library) shows a mushroom cloud from a nuclear explosion in a 1964 presidential campaign television commercial titled "Peace, Little Girl" and known as the "Daisy" ad made by the DNC for Lyndon B. Johnson in his race against former Sen. Barry Goldwater. That was during Reconstruction, when federal troops protected Black voting rights. US Senate candidates in Louisiana release new campaign ads According to OpenSecrets, Kennedy raised $37.5 million, spent $25.2 million, and had $13.6 million cash on hand, as of October 19. Former U.S. Navy fighter pilot Luke Mixon of Baton Rouge is the first Democrat to announce a challenge to Louisiana Republican U.S. Sen. John Kennedy in next fall's election. Democratic Gov. Chambers joins formerU.S. Navy fighter pilot Luke Mixon, a Democrat and political novice, as among those mounting bids to upset Kennedy. Increasingly the Senate results line up with how a state votes at the presidential level, said Jessica Taylor, who handicaps Senate races for the Cook Political Report in Washington. 2023 www.theadvertiser.com. This is the guy we'd like to see in the Senate representing the state of Louisiana instead of John Kennedy. Mixon made the announcement Tuesday, criticizing Kennedy for what he calls voting against. In the coming months, each candidate will have the opportunity to show which message is most persuasive in a state where Democratic successes have sharply declined over the past 20 years, and where a climate of extreme political polarization poses a major obstacle. The ad, put together by President Lyndon B. Johnson's campaign, attacks his opponent Barry Goldwater's position on nuclear weapons. As they begin their campaigns to unseat the formidable Republican incumbent, John N. Kennedy, Mixon and Chambers neatly capture the two major strains of the Louisiana Democratic Party. He went on to complete his service to the nation as the Commanding Officer of the Navys F/A-18 squadron based in New Orleans, LA. Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers announced Tuesday through social media that he will challenge incumbent John Kennedy for a seat representing Louisiana in the U.S. Senate. Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call/Bloomberg via Getty Images Twitter/Screenshot by NPR After crossing Trump, Cassidy weighs governor bid - POLITICO Id rather drink weed killer.. Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia, a Democrat, won a runoff election to defeat Herschel Walker, a Trump-backed Republican and former football star. Lane Payne, a pastor from Abbeville, and Jake Shaheen, a math teacher from Lake Charles who wore a t-shirt saying Very Stable, signed up saying southwest Louisiana constituents are disappointed in government response to recovery from three hurricanes that hit them directly. The primary is scheduled for November 8, 2022. U.S. Navy veteran Luke Mixon has announced his intention to take Kennedys seat in the 2022 election. RFK Jr. details how he differs 'profoundly' with Biden ahead of 2024 The chances of Gary Chambers winning next November are slim. It's still too early to tell how this video will work for Chambers' political career. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. launches 2024 presidential bid | CNN Politics The Cook Political Report grades Kennedy . Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) The press of candidates filing of paperwork and paying of fees didn't let up throughout the day. The former state treasurer, who has mostly provided a safe Senate vote for. Mo Brooks discusses biggest challenge he faces in Senate race GOP Sen. John Kennedy passes on Louisiana governor bid Gary Chambers is running for Senate in Louisiana on a pro-marijuana legalization platform, which he would like to make very clear by ripping a blunt in his first campaign ad.. Chambers' ad . Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. "You do whats right. MADISONVILLE, La. The movement to trim jail populations is one of the few areas where the right and left have found common cause. His Democratic opponents Gary Chambers and Luke Mixon, both of Baton Rouge responded that Kennedy has done much to forward national partisan interests, but little to help Louisiana residents. The Louisiana Democratic Party has endorsed three candidates, in hopes of blocking the incumbents re-election. New Orleans took steps in the summer to remove penalties for marijuana possession. WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Voters across Louisiana will soon make their choice for one of the states two U.S. Senate seats. "Some things are seriously wrong in America today and Im going to talk about them Inflation, in particular, is gutting the American people and the people in Louisiana like a fish. His first campaign video, "37 Seconds," features him smoking a blunt and discussing marijuana arrests and policy. NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Louisiana voters will decide whether U.S. FILE - Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., speaks during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the fiscal year 2023 budget for the FBI in Washington, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. Senator for Louisiana. (Besides, who wouldn't love seeing Gary interacting with two ancient sticks in the mud like Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer?). But Kennedy remains popular in the state and is a consummate fundraiser. Discover John Kennedy's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. John Kennedy Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family But Democratic challenger Luke Mixon says investing in the youth would be a better solution to crime than what Kennedy offers. the bipartisan infrastructure bill among other votes. Chambers candidacy prompted a headline from The Hayride that said, Were Ecstatic, with the conservative website forecasting that it would mean the Democratic Partys further decline. Kennedy is expected to win the most votes, but he needs to win 50 percent of the vote to avoid a run off election. Democrats channel disappointment into Louisiana Senate race There was a problem saving your notification. John Kennedy (Louisiana politician) - Wikipedia I wanted to attend the Naval . Gary Chambers in his ad "37 Seconds." Kennedy, who has proven to be popular in Louisiana and on Capitol Hill, raised an astounding $36 million in his reelection bid - 10 times as much as his Democratic challengers combined. In the initial flurry of activity, candidates for all sorts of offices signed up, including Chief Justice John Weimer, who is running for reelection to the Louisiana Supreme Court. Mixon made the announcement Tuesday, criticizing Kennedy for what he calls voting against money for the people of Louisiana. [1] [2] Kennedy won White voters (79% to 9%), while Chambers and Mixon had a split majority of African Americans (48% to 24% to 16%). Kennedy won state's open senate seat Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016. "I invite him into a new era of respectful dialog in these times of division. It can be fixed but not until President Biden reverses his policies.". Democrat Gary Chambers is seen lighting and inhaling a blunt in his debut TV ad, clocking . Republican Brian Belzer, a Prairieville mechanic, wants to represent the common man in his bid to unseat Graves, who took office in January 2015. Hes just a zero.. Louisianians elected the Zachary native in 2016 with 61% of the vote. U.S. Sen. John Kennedy is running for re-election this year with a campaign war chest that dwarfs those of his Democratic opponents. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Copyright 2022 WVUE. More: Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy draws first Democratic opponent, Luke Mixon, for 2022 race. Mixon went on to graduate from the Naval Academy in 2001. And while plenty of officeholders (mostly Democrats) will say they, Youll know that cannabis has really become mainstream when even politicians will say its something they partake of. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Three Republicans have announced their candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by longtime Senator Richard Shelby. Louisiana leans Republican . Naval Academy and TOPGUN, who served as . Kennedy raised $3.3 million during the fourth quarter of 2021 . Bill Rouselle, a veteran ad man in New Orleans, is assisting Arsement. Updated: Jan 15, 2022 / 12:23 PM CST. Health care costs are bankrupting families, yet Sen. Kennedy voted to end coverage for over half a million hard-working people in our state. John Neely Kennedy - Ballotpedia Prior to his election to the Senate, Kennedy served as state treasurer for five terms, serving in theposition from 2000 to 2017. Copyright 2022 Gray DC. The chances of Gary Chambers winning next November are slim. Email Mark Ballard at mballard@theadvocate.com. Im proud of my record. Over the next few years, the troops left, and White leaders soon disenfranchised Black voters. Louisiana's 2022 U.S. Senate race is taking shape as Democrat Gary Chambers Jr., a Baton Rouge community activist who made a splash in last year's 2nd Congressional District election before falling short, will challenge Republican Sen. John Kennedy. Being a Democrat is becoming more and more of a liability outside of a few scattered parishes, Couvillon said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s threat to Biden is inflated in polls - MSN Chambers argues that Democrats have to forge a new path, with a forceful message that will energize working-class people who havent seen a reason to vote. John Bel Edwards (D) is term-limited, and many Republicans had already been eyeing a run in the red state. Louisiana's Senate race was rated as "solid Republican" by Inside Elections, "solid Republican" by The Cook Political Report, and "safe Republican" by Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics. Steib answered, I would not vote to cut Medicare or Social Security at all., And Mixon said, Absolutely not and again, Im glad you asked that question because its a distinct reminder of when people tell you what theyre going to do believe them, and right now the Republican Party is continuing to say that they will cut or defund Social Security and Medicare.. North Carolina progressive Erica Smith and Gary Chambers are comrades and allies. Higgins has held the position since 2017. In 2014, now-Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa published a lighter video, but one that no less grabbed attention and was later spoofed on late-night television. Kennedy, who has Trumps endorsement, is sitting on a pile of cash with $10 million in the bank. The 3rd Congressional District covers parishes in Southwest Louisiana. These four candidates have announced and raised money for the Senate race, but five others also arrived to throw their hat into the ring by the end of the first day of qualifying. Several articles have been written about it. There was even international coverage! Please include the headline. Among the 12 challengers Kennedy faced included Democrats Mixon, a Navy veteran and TOPGUN graduate endorsed by Gov. Luke Mixon, challenger to Louisiana Senator John Kennedy, holds meet Syrita Steib-Martin, courtesy Operation Restoration. At 42 years old, Mixon is the accomplished product of Avoyelles Parish where he was raised in a farming family and graduated from Bunkie High School. Who else? John Bel Edwards, who is Louisiana's only statewide elected Democrat, has said he doesn't plan to run against Kennedy. Disaster aid:Congress approves $28.6 billion in disaster aid for Louisiana, other states. Mixon criticized Kennedy's record, pointing to his recent opposition to the bipartisan infrastructure bill among other votes. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Republican John Kennedy reelected to U.S. Senate in Louisiana Chambers raised nearly as much as Peterson during the primary while offering full-throated support for the Green New Deal, Medicaid for All and a $15 per hour minimum wage. Kennedy, a staunch Trump ally, was endorsed by the former president. John Bel Edwards; and Gary Chambers, an entrepreneur and community organizer. Questions about Social Security and Medicare come up each election cycle. MONROE, La. Kennedy, a Republican, is running for reelection. He was saving the sensationalistic slam for the followup and it worked, not just in Louisiana, but all over the country. Last night she told me she's "had the privilege of spending meaningful time with Gary Chambers, traveling across North Carolina and holding multiple town halls and backyard conversations together.